Enough is enough: it's time for a change
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports
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Razorback fans deserve better than this. Razorback players deserve better than this. And the UA deserves better than this.
It's time for the Houston Nutt era to come to an end. It's time for a change.
After all the e-mails, the text messages and the transfers, it's time. After the Gus Malzahn and Mitch Mustain fiasco, it's time. After the terrible coaching in the first three games, it's time. After the possible NCAA infractions related to Danny Nutt sitting in the coaches box with a headset on during the Kentucky game, it's time. But perhaps most importantly, after 10 years of pure mediocrity, it's certainly time for a change.
In his nine seasons at the helm of the Razorbacks, Nutt's teams have posted a winning record in Southeastern Conference play only three times. He currently has a 38-36 record in SEC games.
Nutt has led the Razorbacks to only two bowl wins in those nine seasons. That should not be what Razorback nation hopes to accomplish. That, ladies and gentlemen, is mediocrity at its finest.
Think about this. After the 1983 season, Arkansas fired Lou Holtz after the Razorbacks posted a 6-5 record. This was despite the fact that Holtz posted a 60-21-1 record in his seven seasons as head coach and led the Razorbacks to bowl games in the previous six years.
If Holtz was fired after going 6-5, why was Nutt not dismissed after going 6-6 in 2000? Or after going 5-6 in 2004? Or after going 4-7 in 2005?
To quote John McEnroe, "You cannot be serious!"
But alas, this is the type of mediocrity Razorback fans have been forced to endure.
This season, the coaching has been especially atrocious. Arkansas should have handily beaten Alabama if not for some bone-headed coaching.
Despite Reggie Herring's unwillingness to switch to a zone defense until it was far too late, Arkansas still could have won the football game if they had run out the clock. But on a third-down play, instead of running the ball to eat up more clock, the Razorbacks ran a pass play. Believe it or not, the experts say running the football will, in fact, take more time off the clock than passing the ball.
It's time for the Houston Nutt era to come to an end. It's time for a change.
After all the e-mails, the text messages and the transfers, it's time. After the Gus Malzahn and Mitch Mustain fiasco, it's time. After the terrible coaching in the first three games, it's time. After the possible NCAA infractions related to Danny Nutt sitting in the coaches box with a headset on during the Kentucky game, it's time. But perhaps most importantly, after 10 years of pure mediocrity, it's certainly time for a change.
In his nine seasons at the helm of the Razorbacks, Nutt's teams have posted a winning record in Southeastern Conference play only three times. He currently has a 38-36 record in SEC games.
Nutt has led the Razorbacks to only two bowl wins in those nine seasons. That should not be what Razorback nation hopes to accomplish. That, ladies and gentlemen, is mediocrity at its finest.
Think about this. After the 1983 season, Arkansas fired Lou Holtz after the Razorbacks posted a 6-5 record. This was despite the fact that Holtz posted a 60-21-1 record in his seven seasons as head coach and led the Razorbacks to bowl games in the previous six years.
If Holtz was fired after going 6-5, why was Nutt not dismissed after going 6-6 in 2000? Or after going 5-6 in 2004? Or after going 4-7 in 2005?
To quote John McEnroe, "You cannot be serious!"
But alas, this is the type of mediocrity Razorback fans have been forced to endure.
This season, the coaching has been especially atrocious. Arkansas should have handily beaten Alabama if not for some bone-headed coaching.
Despite Reggie Herring's unwillingness to switch to a zone defense until it was far too late, Arkansas still could have won the football game if they had run out the clock. But on a third-down play, instead of running the ball to eat up more clock, the Razorbacks ran a pass play. Believe it or not, the experts say running the football will, in fact, take more time off the clock than passing the ball.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 32
Andy Lowry
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:39 PM CST
I agree completely. I hope Houston Nutt and his "posse" doesn't get you fired for writing what needed to be written.
Jesse
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:39 PM CST
You are spot-on on all points. Thank you!
Rob Ahrent
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:43 PM CST
Thanks Bart,
It is way past time to rid ourselves of the "Dork" and as sad as the state of affairs has gotten on the Hill to my University of Arkansas, there is still time to make things right. (Continued…)
Bruce Castleberry
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:45 PM CST
Amen. This guy has done enough to wreck the once-proud Razorbacks program. It's time for 21st century thinking. Arkansas has the facilities and is developing the talent-base to compete in the SEC. (Continued…)
Josh
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:54 PM CST
Outstanding. Finally someone in the print media has the balls to say it. Keep up the good fight, Bart.
Fred B
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:57 PM CST
Great article... but 1 correction is needed.
Nutt is actually 38-38 against SEC teams!
He is 38-36 (so far) in regular season plus 0-2 in SEC championship games (everyone remember our 'championship' in 2002 when we went to the SEC Champ game only because Bama was on probation and Auburn and LSU lost a tiebreaker to the hogs?)
Pitiful! Fire Nutt yesterday!
And, he's 38-38. (Continued…)
Sharon Espi
posted 9/27/07 @ 11:09 PM CST
Excellent article! Thank you for telling it like it is. Like the previous poster I am concerned pressure will be applied to get you fired, or keep you silenced. (Continued…)
James Cherry
posted 9/27/07 @ 11:28 PM CST
Excellent article! Free Tusk, fire Nutt!
Robert Patterson
posted 9/28/07 @ 2:40 AM CST
Thank You for writing this article! This man is a disgrace and I for one say he does not own the integrity to coach a boys club team.
GO HOGS. (Continued…)
Winston Smith
posted 9/28/07 @ 6:23 AM CST
There are a few of us who will attempt to report or expose the truth.
Kudos to you Mr. Pohl. You have proven yourself to not be a pawn.
Now, if only we could be sure that Mr. (Continued…)
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